If the local justice of the peace or county judge is unavailable for an inquest, another justice of the peace may be asked to conduct it, and the justice who does the inquest must transfer the information within 5 days. That justice is not entitled to compensation other than mileage.
Sec. 27.0545. EXCHANGE OF BENCHES: INQUESTS. Text of subsection effective until April 01, 2027 (a) If a justice of the peace or the county judge of a county to which Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, applies is not available to conduct an inquest into a person's death occurring in the county, the justice of the peace of the precinct in which the death occurred or the county judge may request a justice of the peace of another county to which that subchapter applies to conduct the inquest. Text of subsection effective on April 01, 2027 (a) If a justice of the peace or the county judge of a county to which Subchapter B, Chapter 49A, Code of Criminal Procedure, applies is not available to conduct an inquest into a person's death occurring in the county, the justice of the peace of the precinct in which the death occurred or the county judge may request a justice of the peace of another county to which that subchapter applies to conduct the inquest. (b) A justice of the peace who on request conducts an inquest under this section shall, not later than the fifth day after the date the inquest is initiated, transfer all information related to the inquest to the justice of the peace of the precinct in which the death occurred for final disposition of the matter. (c) A justice of the peace who conducts an inquest under this section is not entitled to receive from the commissioners court of the county in which the death occurred any compensation, other than mileage, for conducting the inquest. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 84 (H.B. 799), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 2.06, eff. April 1, 2027.